I've also just listened to an interesting interview, between Radio 2's Jeremy Vine and musician Professor Green. I can't help thinking he could have easily been one of my students, working as a I do in a PRU and as I have done in support departments within mainstream schools.

I wrote in a blog post some years ago about how the school summer break could be looked upon as a 'sabbatical' rather than simply an extended holiday. This article makes a good case for sabbaticals across all sectors:

I actually think - for all the concerns over childcare, which for many are a real issue - most teachers, young people and their families do ultimately gain greater benefits from the summer holidays than simply not having to set an alarm. I think this is why the summer holidays have persisted since their original design, as a time for families to bring in the harvest. There may well be an argument for shortening them but I think we would all lose out if they were eroded away completely.

So here's wishing colleagues and students a safe and happy sabbatical - I suppose, if you want to, you can consider the above your summer reading and listening!

A snapshot from the iconic American daily cartoon series 'Calvin and Hobbes' - the creator Bill Watterson actively took sabbaticals to recharge before embarking on new,refreshed output.